Bad water filter storage and is there a fix ?

Bopdude

Thru Hiker
Hi all on the subject of filters, I have a Befree a Trailshot and a Sawer, I gave all mine a flush out last week and every one of them had blackish gung come out of them, I have obviously not stored them right I think rather than risk using them they may be binned, unless someone here can give me a guaranteed fix that will sterilize them ? What are my options, and how should I have stored them, I gave them all a flush / rinse before sealing them in an airtight bag, thanks for reading.
 

Padstowe

Thru Hiker
Maybe the gunk is just dried in dirt that has softened due to the heat & being kept in a plastic bag?
I clean my sawer once in a blue moon there abouts with a drop of bleach in a pint of warm water & syringe it all through, think it was Shewie I got this from.
 

Bopdude

Thru Hiker
I never thought of that, I suppose it's possible, I'll wait for further comments before I do anything although the bleach thing rings a bell, thanks. :)
 

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Most of the Sawyer type need a backflush and then a rinse with dilute bleach or vinegar if being stored for a few weeks. It's usually printed on the instructions that came with the unit. Its printed on my Hyrodblu bags. A dulite solution of both stops things growing, much like the chlorine does in supplied drinking water.


Are they knackered? I think if you need to ask the question then replacement is the safest approach.

Bleach kills everything. It doesn't remove the mould (which is what the black gunk mostly is), but will stop it growing. The mould will pit what it grows on and could have made the physical size of the pathways the water passes through bigger.

Personally, I'd use some stronger bleach and then blast them out with a tap adapter.

Tap adapters are a lot better than the feeble syringes. They backflush out a lot more and are well worth getting hold of. I use one similar to this;

ss_rubber_tap_adapter.jpg
 

Bopdude

Thru Hiker
Thanks @Teepee I was thinking the same thing about if I have to ask etc, I think for the sake of £40 I won't risk it, I just thought somebody may have had the same and had a fix :)
 

OwenM

Thru Hiker
I flush mine out with Milton fluid after use, then stand it so it can drain. I leave it for a few days to make sure it's dry internally before I put it away.
 

Mole

Thru Hiker
I've read that people don't carry the syringe to back flush.

When I've used the sawyer mini I found it flows best if backflushed every 2 days or so?
I only do Not carry the syringe for short trips. Overnight or weekend type things.


I always blow mine through after cleaning at home and air dry in warm place for a few days, and store in the net bag.


We used my mates Sawyer micro last year on the Pennine Way which he got as we'd read it had a better flow rate. Bit dissatisfied really. To keep up the flow it needed back flushing pretty much every time used.
 

dovidola

Thru Hiker
Same as @Mole , my Sawyer Micro needs occasional backflushing during a hike, but the coupling ring (4g) is sufficient for this - no need for the plunger (32g) until I get home, then it's a thorough blasting followed by air drying. Seems to keep fine for the next outing.

Does the Micro have a better flow rate than the Mini (which I used previously)? Yes, but not by much, and it needs flushing just as often, but I prefer it.
 
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